Buy a 2-4 unit property in Florida and live in one unit while renting the others. FHA, VA, and conventional all allow owner-occupied multi-family.
3.5% down
FHA
$0 down
VA
2-4
Units
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed MLO · NMLS #PENDING · Last updated: February 2026
Key Features
- FHA: 3.5% down on 2-4 units (must owner-occupy)
- VA: $0 down on 2-4 units (must owner-occupy)
- Conventional: 15-25% down (owner-occupied or investment)
- Rental income from other units counts toward qualification
- Self-sufficiency test for FHA 3-4 unit properties
- Must live in one unit for at least 12 months (owner-occupied programs)
Who Is This For?
- First-time buyers who want rental income to offset their mortgage (house hacking)
- Veterans who want to build wealth with $0 down on a multi-unit
- Investors starting with owner-occupied then converting to full rental
Florida-Specific Considerations
- Florida duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes available in most metros
- Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville have strong multi-family inventory
- Rental income from other units can make your housing cost nearly $0
- Florida’s strong rental market supports multi-family investment
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